Wrench



Jan. 12, 1965 P. R. HINRICHS WRENCH Filed June 26, 1963 INVENTOR. PAUL R. flnvR/cHs BY fil -QM x-W A'rra'RNEKs' accessible for cleaning and repairs when necessary.

United States Patent 3,165,015 'l VRENCH Paul R. Hinriehs, J. H. Farley, 62h Roanoke Bldg Minneapolis 2, Minn, assiguor of fifty percent to .l'ohn H. Farley, Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed .inne 26, 19%, Ser. No. 29%,747 4 Claims. ("CL 81-179) This invention relates to a new and improved wrench. More particularly it relates to an open-end slip-and-griptype, spanner wrench with retractable jaw faces, for use with square or hexagonal nuts or the like having opposed flat sides, to permit a tightening or loosening grip on a nut when the wrench handle is moved in one direction and slipping when moved in the other direction. Although it does not include a ratchet mechanism, the wrench according to the present invention functions similarly to a ratchet wrench in that it permits a nut to be turned in one direction with successive strokes of the wrench without the necessity of removing the wrench from the nut while the wrench is moved in back strokes in the opposite direction.

Although many attempts have been made to design and construct wrenches intended to accomplish the same desired result and the prior art contains many patents directed to examples of such wrenches, none has proved to be completely satisfactory and successful for various reasons. Such wrenches have been expensive to manufacture, or they have been sub'ect to failure through slipping, or they have required such loss of strength in the wrench head as to be easily breakable, or they have been oversize and cumbersome, or subject to other similar shortcomings. The wrench of the present invention functions effectively. It does not slip oil of the nut during the slipping or non-gripping back stroke action. It does not deface the nut. It may be manufactured economically due to its simple structure. Its mechanism is easily it can be made in standard sizes without loss of strength.

The wrench according to the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the same numerals are used to identify corresponding parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one end of a wrench shown in normal working or turning position and having parts broken away to reveal hidden underlying structure;

FIGURE 2 is a similar plan view showing the wrench elements in their non-engaging or slipping positions;

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a modified form of wrench according to the present invention; and,

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing a modified means for retaining the retractable jaw element.

Referring to the drawings there is seen an open-end slip-and-grip-type spanner wrench having a generally flat wrench head It to which is secured a handle portion 11. The wrench head has a thickness which corresponds gen orally to the thickness of a nut 12 to be turned by the wrench. In this instance the nut is shown as a hexagonal nut threaded onto the end of a bolt 13.

The wrench head is of a size adapted to turn any standard nut size. The proportions of the parts are relative and the size of the wrench may vary widely depending upon the size of the nut with which it is to he used. Where desired, the opposite end of handle portion it may be provided with a conventional wrench head of the same or diiferent standard size or a slip-and-grip wrench head of a different size, as desired.

A pair of spaced jaws l4 and 15 extend outwardly from the opposite sides of the wrench head till. The

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inside of the jaws l4 and 15 defines a mouth 16. The wrench mouth 16 is of generally circular configuration and is of a size to receive the maximum'dimension of a nut to be turned. Thus, in the case of a square nut, the mouth would have a diameter corresponding to the diagonal dimension of the nut. In the case of a hexagonal nut, the mouth 16 has a dimension corresponding to the distance from one corner to the diametrically opposite corner. The mouth should be sufiiciently larger than the maximum dimension of the nut to permit the wrench and the nut to move relative to one another with a loose slide fit.

The outer ends of jaws 14 and 15 have opposing faces 17 and 18, respectively. Faces 17 and 18 are desirably flat and preferably parallel to one another. The space 19 between jaw faces 17 and 1% serves as an entrance to the wrench mouth 16. This entrance is restricted relative to the mouth, the opposed faces 17 and 18 being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the opposed flat sides of a nut to be turned. The entrance 19 to the mouth should receive the flat sides of a nut with a loose slide fit to permit the wrench to be easily positioned on a nut to be turned.

Wrench jaw 14 is provided with an elongated recess 26. Recess 24 is disposed generally longitudinally relative to the jaw face 17 and is open inwardly toward the wrench mouth 16. The recess has a depth less than the thickness of the wrench head, as best seen in FIGURE 3. The recess Zll is preferably cast into the wrench head so that its bottom wall 21 is integral with the wrench head. A cover plate 22 secured by screws 23, or equivalent means, then forms the top wall of the recess 20.

One end of recess Zll is provided with a relatively narrower locking notch 24. The opposite end of recess 26 has a spring seating well 25. The back wall 26 of recess Zll extends longitudinally relative to the jaw face 17. A diagonal wall 27 extends between the locking notch 24 and the back wall 26 of the recess 20.

A retractable jaw element 28 is fitted into the recess in. The retractable jaw 2?) is smaller than the recess 24) so as to be movable both longitudinally and laterally in the recess. The retractable jaw element 28 is elongated and generally wedge-shaped tapering from a relatively broad base 29 to a relatively narrow tip portion 3% The base 29 of the retractable jaw element 28 is adapted to move with a sloppy slide fit in the spring seating Well 25 at one end of recess 2d. The retractable jaw element is provided with a spring seating well 31 in the base 29. A spring 32 is fitted therein to normally urge the retractable jaw element away from the spring well 25 toward the opposite end of the recess with the tip portion 30 of the movable jaw element engaging and seating in the locking notch 24 of the recess.

The edge of the retractable jaw element 28 is provided with two nut engaging faces 33 and 24 along its side toward the mouth of the wrench. Face 33 engages a nut to turn it. Face 34 generally slips relative to a nut during the reverse stroke of the wrench. The nut engaging faces are preferably fiat and generally perpendicular to the plane of the generally flat wrench head. The two nut engaging faces are disposed at an angular relation to one another and intersect in an obtuse angle of between about and (with the result that the outer faces define a reflex angle of between about and It will be noted that when the retractable jaw element 28 is in its normal position, pushed forward by spring 32 so that tip portion Mi engages notch 24, nut engaging face 33 is in alignment with jaw face 17.

In order to insure that the retractable jaw element 28 will remain in the recess 2d, the jaw element is longer than the opening between the recess and the mouth of the wrench. A lip 35 adjacent the spring seating well 25 serves to retain the jaw element. When the jaw element 28 is in its normal position, urged forward by spring 32, portions of the nut engaging faces extend out of the recess into the mouth of the wrench for engagement of the nut to be turned.

In the form of wrench shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a corresponding recess 36 is provided in the opposite wrench jaw 15. Recess 36 is similar in most respects to recess except that it is in reversed position. Accordingly, the locking notch 37 is towards the handle portion of the wrench and the spring seating Well 33 is near the jaw face 13. The back wall 39 of recess 36 is generally parallel to back wall 26 of recess 20. Similarly, diagonal wall 4t) is generally parallel to diagonal wall 27.

A movabe jaw element 41 is positioned in recess 36. Movable jaw 41 has a broadened base 42 which slides in spring seating well 38 and a narrow tip 43 which engages notch 37. Base 42 is provided with a spring well 44 into which a coil spring 45 is fitted. The inner edge of the wedge shaped retractable jaw element 41 is provided with nut engaging faces 46 and 47 corresponding to working face 33 and slipping face 34 of movable jaw element 28.

In order to insure retention of movable jaw element 41 in recess 36, it is necessary that the jaw element be longer than the length of the opening between the recess and wrench mouth. Then, in order to insure proper positioning of the working face 46 of the jaw element in engagement with the nut face, it is necessary that the base portion of the jaw element be cut away at 48. A retaining lip 49 engages the edge of the jaw element to insure retention of movable jaw element 41. Of course, cover plate 22 also functions to retain the jaw elements in their respective recesses.

In the operation of the wrench according to the present invention, the wrench is applied to the nut by passing the nut through the entrance 19 defined by the jaw faces 17 and 18 until the nut is seated in the wrench mouth id. At this time, assuming that a wrench of proper size has been selected for the nut, the opposed flat sides of the nut are engaged by the surface 33 of jaw element 28 and surface 46 of jaw element 41. Both jaw elements are urged forward by their respective springs. Each is seated with its tip engaging a locking notch in their respective recesses. The nut 12 is turned in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, by moving the wrench handle in a clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 1.

As the wrench handle is moved in the direction indicated, force is exerted against the sides of the nuts by the jaw engaging faces 33 and 46 which grip the sides of the nut. Force is transmitted to face 33 through tip 30 and base which engage the walls of the recess to transmit the force of'the moving wrench body. Force is similarly transmitted through jaw element 41. As a result, nut 12 is turned.

When the wrench handle has been moved through a stroke as large as permitted by the environment of the particular nut being turned, it is then moved in the opposite direction. The frictional engagement between the threads of the nut 12 and the bolt 13 tends to cause the nut to remain stationary, or nearly so. Accordingly, as the wrench is rotated, engagement between the faces 33 and 46 of the movable jaw elements is broken and, as the Wrench rotates further, the sides of the nut engage faces 34 and 47 of the movable jaw elements. The effect of this engagement is to apply force against the movable jaw elements to move them backward in their respective recesses against the pressure of the coil springs.

In the case of movable jaw element 28 the engagement between notch 24 and tip is broken and the movable jaw element is caused to move laterally inwardly with tip 30 sliding against diagonal wall 27 at the same time that the jaw element is moving longitudinally backward against the spring into the spring well. As the movable jaw element is moved inwardly to the limits of the mouth of the wrench, the wrench may move freely relative to the nut. Movable jaw element il responds similarly.

With the Wrench then capable of free movement, the handle is moved through its back stroke as far as the particular environment permits. Then, as the direction of movement of the wrench is reversed, the movable jaw elements are urged forward in their respective recesses by their respective coil springs and once are locked in position for engagement with the sides of the nut and application of turning force thereto. This procedure is repeated the necessary number of times of tighten the nut to the desired degree. The wrench is removed simply by lifting or sliding it off of the nut. When it is desired to loosen the same nut the wrench is simply turned over and applied to the nut in the same manner.

In FlGURE 4 there is shown a wrench according to the present invention utilizing a single retractable jaw member. The structure of this form of wrench is otherwise gencrally similar to that already described. Wrench head 10A has spaced jaws 14A and 15A. Only jaw 14A is provided with a recess and movable jaw element, but jaw 15A is flattened, as indicated. Because of this the portion of the mouth enclosed by jaw 14A is somewhat deeper to permit slipping movement of the wrench around the nut. The structure of recess 26A and movable jaw element 2% are as already described, except that, because the movable jaw element must move twice as far, the recess is deeper. The form of invention shown in FIGURES l and 2 is preferred because it permits the uniform application of force to the opposite sides of the nut being turned. Cover plate 22A need only extend over the jaw containing the movable jaw element.

In FIGURE 5 there is shown alternative retaining means for holding the retractabl jaw members within their respective recesses. Each retractable jaw member 23A and slA is provided with a slot or hole 5%. A pin 51 of substantially lesser diameter then extends at least part way through the jaw portions which form the recess walls. The diameter of hole 5th is sufiiciently larger than the diameter of pin 51 to permit the movable jaw members to retract both laterally and longitudinally. The recesses NA and 36A may then be made smaller and the movable jaw elements and the jaws themselves may be made smaller. The retaining lip 49 (of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 1) is no longer needed. With this form of the invention the recess may be cast integrally in the wrench head. Since the movable jaw members may be inserted through the openings to the recesses, the need for the cover plate is eliminated.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by Way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An open-end slip-and-grip-type spanner wrench with retractable jaw faces for use with nuts having opposed fiat sides, which wrench comprises:

(A) a generally flat wrench head of thickness corresponding generally to the thickness of a nut to be turned,

(B) a handle portion extending from one side of said wrench head,

(C) a pair of spaced jaws extending outwardly from the opposite sides of said wrench head and defining a mouth to receive the maximum outside dimension of a nut to be turned,

(D) opposing faces on said jaws having their outer ends spaced closer than the diameter of said mouth to receive the opposed flat sides of a nut to be turned,

(E) an elongated recess in the wall of at least one of said jaws,

(F) said recess being open toward said mouth and extending generally parallel to the opposing faces at the outer ends of the jaws,

(G) a jaw retaining lip in one end of said recess,

H) a spring seating means in the other end of said recess,

(I) a retractable jaw element in said recess,

(3) said jaw element being smaller than said recess for limited movement longitudinally and laterally within said recess,

(K) said jaw element being generally flat and elongated and having two generally flat elongated nut engaging faces along one longitudinal side eXten ing toward said mouth,

(L) said nut engaging faces being disposed at an obtuse angular relation to one another, (M) said jaw element having a tip portion (N) said tip portion engaging said recess at the end adjacent to the retaining lip to hold one of said nut engaging surfaces extending out into said jaw mouth and in alignment with the face at the outer end of the jaw on the same side of the wrench head to engage the flat side of a nut to be turned when the wrench is moved in one direction,

(0) a spring seated in said spring seating means urging against the end of the jaw element opposite the tip portion to normally maintain said retractable jaw element in locked position,

(P) said jaw element being retractable into said recess against the pressure of said spring to withdraw the nut engaging faces beyond the limits of said mouth to permit the jaw element to slip with respect to the at one end,

nut being urned when the wrench is moved in the opposite direction, and

(Q) means for retaining said jaw element in said recess.

2. A wrench according to claim 1 further characterized in that each of said jaws is provided with a recess and retractable jaw element.

3. A wrench according to claim 1 further characterized in that said recess is formed integrally in said wrench jaw and said means for retaining said jaw element in said recess comprises an overlying plate secured to the wrench jaw and a retaining lip adjacent said spring seating means.

4. A- wrench according to claim 1 further characterized in that said jaw element is provided with a hole extending through the body of said jaw element substantially perpendicular to the plane of the Wrench head and said means for retaining said jaw element in said recess con1- prises a pin extending through the top and bottom walls of said recess and said hole, said pin having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said hole to permit longitudinal and lateral movement of said jaw element in said recess.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,315 1/55 Hermans0n 81179 X 2,712,259 7/55 Cowell 81179 2,721,493 10/55 Bergland 81-179 2,795,160 6/57 Blasdell 81-479 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN OPEN-END SLIP-AND-GRIP-TYPE SPANNER WRENCH WITH RETRACTABLE JAW FACES FOR USE WITH NUTS HAVING OPPOSED FLAT SIDES, WHICH WRENCH COMPRISES: (A) A GENERALLY FLAT WRENCH HEAD OF THICKNESS CORRESPONDING GENERALLY TO THE THICKNESS OF A NUT TO BE TURNED, (B) A HANDLE PORTION EXTENDING FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID WRENCH HEAD, (C) A PAIR OF SPACED JAWS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID WRENCH HEAD AND DEFINING A MOUTH TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM OUTSIDE DIMENSION OF NUT TO BE TURNED, (D) OPPOSING FACES ON SAID JAWS HAVING THEIR OUTER ENDS SPACED CLOSURE THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID MOUTH TO RECEIVE THE OPPOSED FLAT SIDES OF A NUT TO BE TURNED, (E) AN ELONGATED RECESS IN THE WALL OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID JAWS, (F) SAID RECESS BEING OPEN TOWARD SAID MOUTH AND EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THEOPPOSING FACES AT THE OUTER ENDS OF THE JAWS, (G) A JAW RETAINING LIP IN ONE END OF SAID RECESS, (H) A SPRING SEATING MEANS IN THE OTHER END OF SAID RECESS, (I) A RETRACTABLE JAW ELEMENT IN SAID RECESS, (J) SAID JAW ELEMENT BEING SMALLER THAN SAID RECESS FOR LIMITED MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY AND LATERALLY WITHIN SAID RECESS, (K) SAID JAW ELEMENT BEING GENERALLY FLAT AND ELONGATED AND HAVING TWO GENERALLY FLAT ELONGATED NUT ENGAGING FACES ALONG ONE LONGITUDINAL SIDE EXTENDING TOWARD SAID MOUTH, (L) SAID NUT ENGAGING FACES BEING DISPOSED AT AN OBTUSE ANGULAR RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, (M) SAID JAW ELEMENT HAVING A TIP PORTION AT ONE END, (N) SAID TIP PORTION ENGAGING SAID RECESS AT THE END ADJACENT TO THE RETAINING LIP TO HOLD ONE OF SAID NUT ENGAGING SURFACES EXTENDING OUT INTO SAID JAW MOUTH AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE FACE AT THE OUTER END OF THE JAW ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE WRENCH HEAD TO ENGAGE THE FLAT SIDE OF A NUT TO BE TURNED WHEN THE WRENCH IS MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION, (O) A SPRING SEATED IN SAID SPRING SEATING MEANS URGING AGAINST THE END OF THE JAW ELEMENT OPPOSITE THE TIP PORTION TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN SAID RETRACTABLE JAW ELEMENT IN LOCKED POSITION, (P) SAID JAW ELEMENT BEING RETRACTABLE INTO SAID RECESS AGAINST THE PRESSURE OF SAID SPRING TO WITHDRAW THE NUT ENGAGING FACES BEYOND THE LIMITS OF SAID MOUTH TO PERMIT THE JAW ELEMENT TO SLIP WITH RESPECT TO THE NUT BEING TURNED WHEN THE WRENCH IS MOVED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AND (Q) MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID JAW ELEMENT IN SAID RECESS. 